Work Text:
There was a loud banging at the front door. Daniel and Chozen went silent and looked at each other with some trepidation. Chozen got up, slowly making his way towards the front foyer, Daniel following a few paces away. Whoever it was, was yelling and pounding on the door loud enough to wake the whole neighbourhood. Chozen swung the door open fearlessly, while Daniel backed up a bit. A severely pissed-off Mike Barnes showing up at his doorstep at night was something he’d already been through once and nothing he cared to experience again.
Mike stepped up to Chozen trying to look over his shoulder. “Where’s LaRusso?” he demanded.
“Not here right now,” Chozen spoke mildly.
Mike shoved past him roughly, walking into the house. Daniel hid quickly, barely daring to peek around a corner.
“GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE, LARUSSO!” Mike bellowed.
Chozen swung Mike around to face him, and Mike’s posture screamed that he was ready for an all-out brawl. Daniel decided it was best to intercept now rather than run the risk of letting them fight and tear through the entire house. Mike shoved Chozen away, and Daniel got in between them before Chozen could make the next move.
“Alright! I’m here!” he said urgently. “What’s the problem?”
“You know exactly what the fucking problem is, you sonuvabitch! My store is a pile of ashes because of you!” Mike roared, and he violently grabbed Daniel by the shirt, with nearly enough force to rip it off. “You ruined my life!”
“It wasn’t me!” Daniel yelled in alarm. Judging by Mike’s eyes, he was on something pretty strong, and a severely pissed-off Mike Barnes, who was also probably high on cocaine or some other drug, was the very last thing anyone would want to deal with. Chozen came up beside him and hit Mike’s hands to get him to let go of Daniel. They fell into fighting stances again.
“You want to go?” Mike spat. “Then bring it on! I’ll kick both your sorry asses!”
“We shall see,” Chozen said defiantly.
“Look, this is all a misunderstanding!” Daniel insisted, holding his hands up and trying to get between them again, despite his better judgment. “It wasn’t me, Mike! It was Silver!”
Mike didn’t look placated at all. “My life is in shambles, all because you showed up!”
“I’m sorry! I never meant for you to end up in his crosshairs. But I promise you, I will help. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Mike looked at him, different emotions flashing across his face. Daniel could see him clenching and unclenching his fists in frustration. He paced around like a caged animal, breathing heavily. “That ponytailed motherfucker is going to pay!” Mike seethed and with that statement, he barreled towards the front door again.
“Hold on!” Daniel called. “You can’t go over there right now!”
“And who’s gonna stop me?” Mike asked, halting in his steps. He turned, tipping his head and glaring murderously.
“Me,” Chozen proclaimed, glaring back fiercely.
Daniel let out a loud sigh. “I didn’t say you can’t go,” Daniel stalled, “I’m just saying you shouldn’t go rushing over there right now. There’s no one who wants to get even with that bastard as much as I do, but we gotta be smart about it.”
“So now I’m not smart?” Mike asked, voice lowered menacingly.
“You put words in Daniel-san’s mouth,” Chozen answered unperturbed.
“I’m gonna put my fist in your mouth pretty soon,” Mike threatened.
“No one’s putting anything in anyone’s mouth!” Daniel interrupted. Both men turned to stare at him for a moment. Daniel flushed at the intense scrutiny. “Chozen’s right. I’m not saying you’re not smart, I’m just advising you to wait. If we want to strike at Silver, we have to plan for it. It’s not gonna be easy, but we can take him down. We just got to make sure we’re ready.”
“So, what do you suggest I do right now? Just wait around like a bitch for Silver to mess with me some more?! I already lost my business and my wife!” Mike hissed.
“Your wife?” Daniel asked, eyes widening again.
“She kicked me out of the damn house! The store was leveraged; it’s all we had. I’m broke and—” he cut himself off, turning his head away and running a hand down his face.
“I’m really sorry,” Daniel said again, infusing as much sympathy in his tone as possible. He really didn’t know what else he could say to the man. He never would have expected to see Mike Barnes like this, almost close to tears.
“I don’t want your pity,” Mike answered angrily.
“It’s not pity,” Daniel replied with a small shake of his head. “I mean it. You’re a good guy. You didn’t deserve any of this. I want to help, in any way I can. You can stay here until we can figure all this out, or however long you need,” Daniel offered. It might not be the best idea to invite another guest into their home, considering Amanda’s reaction to Chozen being there. But Mike was a wreck and although Daniel knew he wasn’t technically at fault, he still felt bad for having inadvertently dragged Barnes and his family into this whole ordeal.
Mike’s face scrunched up, and he made a sound like a strangled sob in his chest, scrubbing a hand down his face in irritation. When he finally looked at Daniel again, his eyes were glassy with unshed tears, but he schooled his features into a semblance of calm. He gave one solemn nod.
“Fine,” he said slowly. “Fine. I’ll wait, for now. But something’s gotta be done soon. I won’t let that piece of shit get away with screwing me over again,” he warned.
Daniel merely nodded, going to the door. He only now noticed it was still open, and he sighed again, closing and locking it, hoping the neighbours hadn’t heard all the commotion.
. . . . .
“My wife left me too,” Daniel said, taking a sip of beer. They were all sitting on the couch, drinks in hand, talking. “It’s not serious… I hope,” he added under his breath.
“How’d that happen?” Mike asked, taking a small sip of beer himself.
“I made an ass of myself at a Charity Auction,” Daniel snorted disappointed. “Terry was there. He goaded me into making a scene. Amanda was mortified. Hell, I was too. The whole place was looking at me like I was nuts.”
“I know the feeling,” Mike commiserated.
They looked at each other for a moment and both chuckled.
“But hey, that sounds awful, man,” Mike said more soberly. “I feel like an ass myself now. I shouldn’t have come barging in here like that. I can leave if—”
“No, no,” Daniel said a bit too quickly. “It’s alright, you didn’t know. Truth be told, I’m glad you’re here. We need all the help we can get to take that snake down. And…it’s nice, you know? Having people around. It can get a bit quiet and it just… it feels good to not be alone,” he said quietly, looking down into his beer. He missed the kids.
“Well, you got Chozen,” Mike said with a nod to the other man. He raised his bottle in salute, and Chozen responded in kind.
“Yeah,” Daniel smiled. “He’s great. I’m glad you’re here too, man,” Daniel said looking at the Okinawan. He raised his bottle as well. “To Chozen,” Daniel said a bit louder.
Mike echoed his statement and they all toasted. A few moments of silence passed, and Chozen put his empty bottle down on the coffee table before rising.
“It is late,” Chozen said. “I go rest now. Goodnight Daniel-san,” he smiled and nodded at Mike. “Mike-san.”
“G’night,” Mike answered.
“Night,” Daniel called, watching him go. He drank a bit more, finishing his bottle. Mike yawned and took off his jacket before fumbling a bit clumsily with his shoes.
“I’m gonna crash too,” Mike said. “Here’s good, huh?” he said gesturing at the couch, and before Daniel could answer he was pulling his shirt off as well. It got caught on his head for a moment, and he let out a little growl as he tore it off.
Daniel laughed a bit, though his eyes were drawn to the other man’s chest, and he had to force himself to turn away with an awkward little cough. “Chozen’s got the guest room, but there’s another room…sort of a storage room I guess,” Daniel said, as he got up and motioned for Mike to follow.
They walked down a hall and Daniel opened one of the doors, flipping the light and letting Mike in. The room was cluttered with everything from old furniture to tools and magazines and various appliances. “Not much comfort and the couch has seen better days, but, at least you’ll have some privacy,” Daniel explained.
“It’s fine. Better than sleeping in my car,” Mike commented with a shrug. He sounded casual, but Daniel saw his face darken the slightest bit. He felt the guilt crawl up all over again. Mike let out a long breath and turned away, dropping his clothes and shoes in a heap near the foot of the couch.
Daniel made a small noise, seeing the man’s back. There were old, faded scars crisscrossing the otherwise unmarred flesh. “What happened to you?” he asked, his voice a bit shaky.
Mike looked over his shoulder at him. “Huh? Oh, you mean my back?” he asked. “Silver and Kreese happened,” he informed as he bent at the waist to tug his socks off. He almost lost his balance and Daniel made half a move as if to catch him, but Mike steadied himself and plopped down on the couch. He tugged his socks off with another little growl and kicked them away. Daniel smiled a bit goofily at the sight.
“After the tournament,” Mike sighed, throwing his socks near the pile of clothes. “I had to go grab my stuff from Silver’s place. I was staying with him at the time,” he clarified. “Kreese tried getting fresh with me, and I wasn’t having it. But then those two jackasses Silver hired to bust my chops every day—You remember Snake and Dennis?” he asked, Daniel nodded. “They jumped on me. Four against one s’not exactly a fair fight. Well, not unless you’re Mr. Miyagi,” he said. Daniel acknowledged this with a slight smile and chuckle.
“I really regret what I did to you back then,” Mike said hollowly, bowing his head. “I regret what I let them do to me,” he added, hunching his shoulders. Daniel took a seat beside him on the couch.
“You already apologized to me. And believe me, I appreciate it,” Daniel said sincerely, laying a comforting hand on Mike’s slumped shoulder. “We were both just kids, and we trusted a guy who lied to us and tried to use us for his own gain,” Daniel said with bitter resentment coating each word. “What he did to me and especially to you is awful. And this time, he’s not getting away with it,” he said with conviction.
“Yeah,” Mike with a small nod, locking eyes with Daniel. “I may not be able to do anything to that prick Kreese or those other two assholes, but Silver’s gonna get what’s coming to him,” he promised, dangerously calm. Daniel felt something like a shiver go down his back, he wasn’t sure if it was from the threat, the proximity, or the intense stare Mike had caught him in. He pulled his hand away, feeling it start to sweat.
Then Mike stood and unbuttoned his jeans and Daniel looked down, as Mike pulled his zipper down, but he caught himself quickly and looked back up. “Well, goodnight,” he said, turning and walking to the door. He gave a half-wave and closed the door behind himself.
. . . . .
Mike stayed in his room most of the next day, sleeping off the drinks and what else he may have had in his system. It was evening by the time he emerged, and then he left, citing he would try to talk things out with his wife. He thanked Daniel for the hospitality and bid goodbye to Chozen. Daniel was a bit disappointed to see him leave, but he accepted it and watched him drive away a bit wistfully.
Only a few hours later, the same car was parked outside his door and Mike appeared at his doorstep again. He was dressed differently and carrying a big duffle bag on his shoulder.
“She’s not ready to let me back in,” he said by way of greeting, as Daniel stepped aside to let him through the threshold. “She’s livid, which I don’t blame her for, but it wasn’t my fault,” he vented.
“For what’s it worth, the offer’s still good. You can stay here as long as you need,” Daniel patted him on the back, fighting a small smile from forming. It’s not that he was happy to see Mike so down in spirits, but he couldn’t deny he felt kind of glad that he’d be sticking around a little longer.
The next day Daniel, Mike, and Chozen drove out to the dojo to spar. Mike and Chozen had worn gi while Daniel just wore some workout clothes. Daniel’s eyes were again glued to Mike. His gi was black and sleeveless, leaving his biceps exposed. He fought Chozen with some of the same intensity Daniel remembered from their youth, but none of the animosity. Daniel fought Chozen next, both of them demonstrating some of the Miyagi-Do techniques to Barnes that he’d never seen before. Mike cheered on Daniel, causing him to laugh a bit bashfully.
“You’re really looking good,” Mike said, and Daniel looked over, seeing him smile as he watched him. “Don’t know how you can fight in something that tight, but I’m not complaining,” Mike winked. Daniel was caught off guard by the comment and the wink. He quickly remembered himself, but even just a moment was enough for Chozen to get the drop on him.
“Must not lose focus,” Chozen admonished him.
“I know, I know,” Daniel grumbled. Mike strode over and offered him a hand to get up.
“You did that on purpose,” he accused as he took the other man’s hand. Mike hauled him up instantly and pulled him in close.
“Did what?” Mike asked innocently. “I was only being honest. You do look good,” he complimented, dropping his voice. Daniel blinked at him, his throat feeling dry all of a sudden.
“Ready to take me on?” Mike asked, raising his voice to a normal level, as he stepped back from Daniel.
“Daniel-san,” Chozen called from the sidelines. “Not get distracted again.”
Daniel nodded at him, and he fell into a fighting stance across from Mike. “I’ll use Kata again,” Daniel threatened playfully.
“No mercy, huh?” Mike replied mock tearfully.
They laughed together, and Chozen rolled his eyes at them.
Mike quickly got the upper hand and Daniel was out of breath from the way he took control and manhandled him so easily. Mike had always been swift and strong, but he was even stronger now and while he still had that aggressive style, he wasn’t too rough with Daniel. It was just enough to be—he stopped himself from finishing that thought. He glanced at a stern-faced Chozen and focused. He tried to sweep Mike’s feet from under him, but Mike tried to catch himself and tipped forward instead of back, taking Daniel down with him. He just barely managed to put his arms out and stop from falling directly on top of Daniel. Despite this, he made no actual attempt to get up.
They breathed and stared at each other in sync for a few moments, until Chozen coughed loudly at them.
“Comfortable?” Daniel asked with a quirked eyebrow.
“I’d prefer a bed, but I don’t need one,” Mike answered suggestively. He got up, and Daniel got to his feet quickly after.
“Dojo is place for discipline, not joking,” Chozen intoned disapprovingly.
“He’s the ‘bad boy’, he doesn’t follow rules,” Daniel replied with a little huff.
“I can be nice too sometimes,” Mike defended. “I can be really nice,” he added with another wink to Daniel.
“Still joking,” Chozen said exasperatedly.
. . . . .
Mike turned the tap, shutting off the water. He grabbed a towel to dry off and stepped out of the shower, putting the towel down and grabbing a smaller one to dry his hair. The door opened and Daniel was about to step inside but stopped short, seeing someone standing there. He looked down instinctively and immediately averted his eyes and backed out of the room, slamming the door.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were still in there! I didn’t hear the water, so I thought—anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m sorry!” he hollered.
Mike opened the door, this time mercifully covered from the waist down, still toweling his hair. “It’s fine,” he dismissed casually. He draped the towel around his neck and Daniel’s eyes caught on the glinting droplets of water rolling down Mike’s chest to his abs to—he flushed as Mike stepped past him, his shoulder brushing just lightly against Daniel. “Shower’s all yours.”
Daniel walked into the bathroom hastily, but couldn’t resist taking another look as Mike walked away. The scars on his back went almost unnoticed among the moisture highlighting his shifting muscles. Daniel slammed the door again and winced at the sound, cringing as he caught a glimpse of his flushed face in the slightly fogged-up mirror.
A few hours later, he and Chozen were enjoying a drink together by the pool as Mike worked the grill. He unbuttoned his shirt, letting it hang open, and splashed some cold water on his face to cool down. Daniel studiously turned his face away from the sight, but doing so meant also facing away from Chozen, so he had no choice but to turn back every so often. He grumbled internally as his eyes invariably went back to Mike, standing just a few feet off. ‘It’s not that hot’ he thought with some annoyance, watching as Mike tipped a bottle over, drinking some of the water and letting the rest splash down on him. Mike’s gaze caught his, and Daniel turned away lightning quick, drinking and pretending he hadn’t noticed anything.
Chozen gave him an unusual look and turned his head to look over at whatever Daniel had been staring at. Mike stood there, nearly soaking wet, and grinning as he tended to the BBQ. Chozen rolled his eyes again, seeing Daniel turn his head a bit to try to look at the other man through the corner of his eye.
. . . . .
Daniel yawned, taking out some eggs and other ingredients to start preparing breakfast. Then something started to feel a bit off. He ignored it for a few minutes, but the more he did, the more the feeling nagged at him. He felt like he was being watched somehow. Daniel looked around and jumped as he saw Mike sitting at the kitchen island.
“You startled me,” he said unnecessarily. Blowing out a breath and laughing a bit awkwardly as he turned back to the stove.
“Sorry,” the other man replied automatically.
But the feeling persisted, and Daniel was aware that Mike was still sitting there watching him. He looked over his shoulder halfway. “Was there something you needed?”
“Nah,” Mike said, and Daniel turned away again, hearing Mike shuffling out of his seat and walking off. “Just enjoying the view,” he added, as he walked outside.
Sometime after breakfast, Mike headed to the pool. Daniel heard the splash and looked out. Mike managed to catch him in the act before he could duck out of sight. He called out his name and waved him over-enthusiastically. Daniel hesitated a moment, but it was too late to pretend he hadn’t seen or heard him, so he reluctantly stepped out and approached the other man.
“Don’t you ever use the pool?” Mike asked, swimming closer.
Daniel shrugged, then laughed to himself as he recalled the scene with Amanda. “Chozen swims naked in there,” he said, pointing at the water.
Mike made a face and then swatted some water at him, making Daniel huff and back off.
“C’mon, get in,” Mike cajoled.
“No, I don’t think I will,” Daniel said, but he did step closer again. Mike suddenly lunged and grabbed his ankle. Daniel yelled in surprise, expecting to be yanked into the pool. But Mike let go, snickering at his reaction.
“Relax, Daniel,” Mike smirked. “You’re always so jumpy. I told you I can play nice.”
Daniel glared playfully at him and sank down to sit at the edge and soak his legs in the water. They bantered good-naturedly while Mike swam a few laps. After a while he waded over, smoothing a hand through his wet hair, pushing it off his forehead. Daniel became aware that there was just enough room between his legs for Mike to slip right in. He felt his cheeks heat up again as Mike came closer and closer.
“You look hot,” he said, pulling Daniel out of his thoughts.
“So do you,” Daniel replied, deciding to be a bit bold.
“I meant as in ‘sweaty’. Temperature-wise,” Mike said.
“So did I.”
“No you didn’t.”
“Neither did you.”
“Yeah you’re right,” Mike admitted, grinning. “You are hot,” he said and finally stepped between Daniel’s legs.
Mike tugged gently at his shorts, and Daniel slipped much too easily off the edge and into the pool. They were standing so close, almost nose to nose. Daniel looked at his lips and then up into bright blue eyes. Mike inched impossibly close, mouth hovering just above Daniel’s. He could feel his breath on his face, and smell the faint scent of shampoo and sunblock. If he reached out, he could run his hands over that smooth chest and—Someone cleared their throat and they both jumped and sprang apart.
“I come back later,” Chozen smiled broadly.
Daniel was relieved to see he was at least wearing swim trunks this time. But he still cursed silently in his mind as Chozen smirked at them and walked back into the house. The moment was gone. Whatever had been happening, or was about to happen between him and Mike, it was over. Mike climbed out of the pool and offered a hand to Daniel, but Daniel was already pulling himself out. They didn’t say anything or look at each other as they each grabbed a towel and dried off.
. . . . .
The mood shifted considerably after that, and Daniel regretted it immensely. He’d been enjoying his new dynamic with Mike. A Mike who was more friendly and downright playful at times. Aside from one unhinged moment the first night, he’d arrived. But even then, he’d mellowed out fairly quickly, and the night had ended with all of them drinking and commiserating together. Mike kept a healthy distance whenever he could, and when they were in close range he tried to minimize physical contact. He mostly dodged or blocked, and when he went for a hit it was too soft to be effective in any way. He showed none of this discomfort with Chozen, which made Daniel bristle at the injustice. He knew it was a result of the awkward encounter in the pool; they had both made adjustments after that incident. But he hadn’t counted on this new discomfort between them affecting their fighting too.
The next spar went differently. If Mike was going to play the avoidance game, Daniel would bring the fight to him. He was more aggressive and hit harder and every time Mike backed off, Daniel pushed forward, closing in on him. He could see the irritation building in Mike until it finally snapped, and he started taking the fight seriously. He even took to taunting Daniel a bit. It wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been (and Daniel knew well how bad that could be) but it was something at least. An improvement compared to the silent, almost robotic fight from before.
. . . . .
Later that night, the three of them sat together to watch a movie. Mike suggested Die Hard, so they’d set about preparing some popcorn. Chozen had stolen an entire bowl to himself and not to be outdone, Mike had snatched the other. Daniel grumbled at them both and settled on stealing from each bowl as he pleased. Halfway through the movie, Mike’s bowl was almost empty, and he set it aside. Daniel’s eyes stayed on the screen while he reached over to grab a few kernels out of the bowl Mike had in his lap. He frowned when his hand missed the bowl and made contact with fabric instead. He looked down and yanked his hand back as if scorched when he realized he’d put his hand on Mike’s crotch. Mike snickered quietly at his stricken expression and offered him the bowl. Daniel took it awkwardly, his mind now completely disengaged from the movie and instead fretting over what he’d just done.
“You could have just asked me if you wanted to touch,” Mike teasingly whispered.
“I didn’t. It was a mistake,” Daniel said resolutely, glad that the movie was almost over, so he could get off the couch and shut himself in his room for a good 8 or more hours. He needed the isolation.
Mike reached over and took his hand, putting it back in the same spot he’d touched. Daniel yanked his hand off again, looking over at Chozen in alarm, hoping he hadn’t seen any of what had happened. He felt relief course through him when he saw Chozen’s head tipped back, his eyes closed and mouth barely hanging open, snoring lightly.
“He’s asleep,” Mike said deadpan.
This time, when Mike repositioned his hand, Daniel did not resist or pull back. He didn’t dare move his hand, merely letting it rest in place. Even so, he could feel the heat through Mike’s sweats. The shape and thickness. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d touched anyone else besides himself or Amanda. Somehow, the fact that it was a former enemy and easily one of the worst, made it both more completely surreal yet thrilling. He finally moved his hand a little, though still keeping a half eye on Chozen, just to be sure he was really asleep. He put a bit more pressure and heard Mike let out a small breathy sigh. As he got more bold, closing his hand around it and feeling it throb a bit, Mike made a sound like a moan and Daniel pulled his hand away.
“What the—?” Mike started, but Daniel shushed him.
“We can’t do this. Chozen’s right over there,” Daniel whispered pointedly. “It’s disrespectful,” he added.
“He’s dead asleep, I don’t think he gives a shit,” Mike replied. “Hey, Chozen!” he called, and Daniel shushed him frantically.
“What are you doing!?” he demanded.
“Waking him,” Mike stated simply. “He can’t sleep on the couch like that anyway. CHOZEN! BUDDY!” he hollered.
Chozen startled awake with a loud snore and looked around blearily. “Not sleep,” he said slowly. “Only resting eyes.”
“Movie’s over, big guy,” Mike said, pointing to where the end credits were scrolling on the screen. “It’s Beddy-bye for good Ninja Masters.”
Chozen fixed him with a slight glare but nodded his assent.
Mike got up and clapped him on the shoulder, throwing a meaningful glance Daniel’s way. “Night,” he said, retreating to his room, making silent motions to Daniel which he pointedly ignored.
“Sorry about that,” Daniel said to Chozen once Mike was gone. “He’s still kind of a dick sometimes. Habit I guess.”
Chozen nodded. “He think too much with short sword. Must not make decision this way,” he said sagely, before getting up.
Daniel looked at him in askance as Chozen also started to leave. “You will understand,” he assured before he too disappeared from view.
Daniel turned the TV off, taking the popcorn bowls to the kitchen. He lingered there, wondering how he should approach the situation he now found himself in with Mike. He was still making up his mind when Mike walked in instead.
“The coast is clear,” he said with a small smirk as he walked closer.
“We can’t do this,” Daniel repeated with more force. “It’s insane. We’re married men. Happily married,” he added with emphasis, although he realized that was hardly true for either of them at the moment.
“Well, maybe before Silver dragged us all back into his shit,” Mike rebutted, thankfully not angered by the careless remark. “My wife wants nothing to do with me and yours is pretty pissed off with you too.”
“Amanda will come around,” Daniel said, fairly secure in that statement. It was nothing they couldn’t work through. “But don’t you want to fix things with your wife?”
“If she ever lets me get a word in, instead of throwing plates at my head. Sure,” Mike shrugged. For a moment a look of frustration did cross his face, but it was gone quickly. “Look, I’m not proposing marriage here, Daniel. When your wife gets back, you can go back to playing house. I won’t interfere with that. Tonight, I just want to fuck you.”
Daniel felt a pulse of heat roll through him. No one had ever said those words directly to him before. Flirting and innuendos were one thing. That he was used to. Until now, that was all they had been doing. But actively saying the words with intent? He felt another small wave of heat at the look Mike was giving him.
“That’s called cheating,” Daniel said, trying to talk himself out of it as much as Mike. He couldn’t deny the attraction he felt, and the temptation growing steadily harder to resist.
Mike slipped his wedding ring off and placed it on the nearby counter. He took Daniel’s hand gently and did the same. Daniel looked down at both their hands, noting the size difference.
“That doesn’t change anything,” Daniel protested feebly. But he didn’t pull away when Mike put the same hand back on his crotch. He fondled him a bit and Mike closed the space between them, kissing his neck. He palmed him harder, and Mike caught his mouth in a forceful kiss. His hands went down to Daniel’s ass, gripping him, and they both moaned into the kiss. Daniel’s hands pulled at Mike’s shirt, and Mike helped him pull it off. It fell to the floor, and Daniel wasted no time running his hands over Mike’s exposed chest. Mike pulled his hips in tighter, grinding his pelvis against Daniel’s.
“We can do this here, but I figure a bed might be better for your back,” Mike said between wet kisses.
“Who said I had to be on my back?” Daniel asked in return, biting lightly at Mike’s lower lip.
“Good point, you can ride on top,” Mike agreed, cutting off whatever else Daniel was about to say with a tongue twining kiss. They made their way clumsily to Mike’s room, trying not to knock anything over on the way there.
Daniel fumbled with the door, and Mike kicked it closed behind him as he started tugging at Daniel’s clothes. Daniel felt his shirt come off and Mike was already starting on his pants when Daniel stilled his hands. Doubts were creeping in again, clouding his desire. Was he really about to have sex with a man, let alone one who up until just recently he would have considered an extremely dangerous enemy? He was still married. He loved Amanda, that wouldn’t change, especially not just because Silver tried to come between them. And Mike had a wife too, albeit a possibly soon-to-be ex-wife. Sleeping with a man certainly wasn’t going to help salvage that relationship. They couldn’t risk everything just to screw like a couple of horny teenagers on some dingy old couch.
Mike kissed him, nearly pushing all his thoughts away as his hands slowly worked on his pants again. Daniel broke off the kiss a bit regretfully and stepped back, breathing heavily and avoiding Mike’s eyes. “I just—” he started.
“It’s alright,” Mike cut in, holding up a hand. “I’m not trying to pressure you into anything,” he said resignedly, sitting and leaning back into the lumpy couch with a tired sigh. Daniel finally looked at him, but now Mike had his head tipped back and eyes closed, likely avoiding his gaze. Daniel nodded more to himself than anything and walked back over to the door. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should say something, but nothing felt right, and he gave up, closing the door quietly as he left.
* * * * *
Early the next afternoon, Daniel and Mike were busy avoiding each other when Amanda arrived, Jessica and the kids in tow.
“Uh, hi,” Amanda said, caught off guard by yet another man she didn’t recognize in her home. “Who’s this?” she turned to Daniel.
But Jessica beat him to the punch. “If it isn’t the slimeball,” she said. Daniel sighed again internally, sure that another argument was just about to break out.
“Hey ‘dream girl,” Mike responded with good humor and Daniel looked between them in confusion.
“This is Mike Barnes,” Jessica introduced with a smile. “Another former karate maniac,” she teased. Daniel snorted at that and exchanged bemused glances with Jessica.
“And this is my wife, Amanda LaRusso,” Daniel added, smiling at Amanda. She greeted Mike and Chozen and pulled Daniel away to talk.
“So is he another guest?” Amanda asked, noting the casual wear and lack of shoes.
“Yes,” he said hesitantly, watching her reaction closely. “But only because Silver burned down his store and—”
“Oh my God,” she interjected. “Daniel, please don’t tell me you had anything—”
“Not exactly,” Daniel interjected. “I went to talk to Mike and then next thing I know Terry had burned his business to the ground. Now his wife kicked him out, and she won’t even talk to him so…I told him he could stay here for a while.”
Amanda sighed heavily in response. “I can’t believe this.”
“I’m sorry,” he said lamely, at a loss for what else he could say given the situation.
They tuned back into the other conversation as they heard Mike and Chozen laugh.
“What’s going on?” Daniel asked. “How did you two meet again?” he asked, eyeing Jessica and Mike almost suspiciously.
“I bought a table from him a couple of years back,” Jessica responded, and Mike nodded.
“How’s that old oak wood doing?”
“Just like the day I bought it. You can see for yourself.”
“I will,” he said mock seriously. “Well, I’ll be getting out of your hair,” he added, turning to Daniel and Amanda.
“What?” Daniel asked frowning. “You’re leaving?”
“Mike was just telling me about the store,” Jessica responded instead. “You guys already have one guest and I have the room so…”
“It’s only for a day or two,” Mike tacked on. “I’m talking with my wife, and we’re sorting things out.”
That was news to Daniel. He studied him, trying to look for any indication that he was lying, but Mike was studiously avoiding his gaze again.
“Thanks for the hospitality,” he said, looking at Amanda instead of him. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Amanda,” he held out his hand and Amanda shook it.
“Pleasure meeting another one of my cousin’s boyfriends,” she smiled wide at Jessica, who snorted a laugh.
“In his dreams,” she joked.
“Gosh,” Mike said dramatically, “You really hurt my feelings.”
“C’mon, grab your things,” she punched him playfully on the arm.
Daniel frowned harder, drawing away from Amanda a bit. "Aren’t you staying for dinner?” he asked.
“I guess if you don’t mind,” Jessica said. “Not for me, of course. I mean the slimeball here,” she gestured at Mike. Mike clutched his heart and rolled his eyes at her.
“I’m the bad boy of your fantasies. Admit it, Andrews,” he replied, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
“Ugh,” she gagged exaggeratedly. “I have a new bad boy,” she pulled in Chozen who laughed good naturedly at the two.
“Back off,” Mike said, pulling Chozen away. “He’s my friend.”
Daniel watched all of this tight-lipped but forced an expression of fake cheer on his face when Amanda looked at him. Normally, he would have found it all nice and endearing even, but Mike was clearly leaving because of him, and he didn’t like the heavy feeling weighing down his gut because of it.
* * * * *
A couple of days later, Daniel left with the excuse of returning a shirt Mike had forgotten behind. In truth, Mike probably didn’t miss it, but Daniel figured he might as well return it to him and check up on him in the process. Mike said he had talked to his wife and Daniel wanted to know if it were true, or if he had only said it as an excuse to leave.
As he pulled up, he only saw Mike’s car in the driveway. He rang the doorbell, belatedly noticing that he’d forgotten the shirt when Mike had already answered the door.
“Daniel, hey,” he said, wiping sweat off his brow. “Come in,” he pulled the door open and stepped aside. He wore a grey tank top, that seemed maybe a bit too tight, the way it clung to his torso. “I was working out. You just missed Jess. She stepped out about 15 minutes ago.”
“Actually, I came to see you,” he announced. “To return a shirt you left back at the house,” he amended, as Mike’s eyes caught his.
Mike nodded, though he looked at Daniel’s empty hands curiously. “I forgot it in the car,” Daniel supplied, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “So…last time you said you had talked to your wife?” he mentioned, as he and Mike sat on the couch a few paces away from each other.
“Yeah, we talked a bit over the phone. Her family’s been staying with her for a while, but they’re going back to Boston soon, and I’ll be moving back in.”
“That’s great,” Daniel said. “Really, I mean, I’m glad you could work it out.”
“Yeah, thanks man,” Mike said. “How about you and Amanda?”
“We’re good,” Daniel nodded as Mike patted him on the arm. Daniel’s eyes were drawn to his torso again, down to his lap, the tight black shorts stretched across his thighs and he licked his lips averting his eyes again.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Mike asked, and Daniel wondered if he was just hearing things or if the pitch of Mike’s voice had truly changed.
Daniel cleared his throat. “Some water. Thanks.”
Mike got up and came back a few moments later with two glasses of water. Daniel sipped it, trying to think of something else he could say to extend this visit. But he was drawing a blank, and Mike didn’t seem to want to say anything either.
“I’ll grab your shirt from the car and head out,” Daniel said after a moment, putting the glass down on the coffee table nearby.
“There’s no hurry,” Mike said, still in that lower-pitched voice. “Jess won’t be back for a while. You can keep me company.”
“You want me to?” Daniel asked, his voice seemingly lowering to match Mike’s.
“I want you,” Mike said slowly. “Too.”
Daniel swallowed and belatedly realized that at some point he and Mike had shifted closer to each other. Mike set his empty glass on the coffee table and Daniel noticed the lack of any rings. He fleetingly wondered again if Mike had been truthful about his wife or not, but found he didn’t really care. Mike had been almost all he could think about since the day he’d moved in, and despite Amanda’s presence and the kids being back, he found his thoughts constantly looping back to the other man. At first, it had been a welcome distraction from the disaster with Silver, but now it seemed like he had only replaced one obsession with another. Even Chozen had noticed and had advised him to work it out somehow, lest it get too out of control and become a problem to be exploited. One day, probably soon, they would be going toe to toe with Terry again. They needed to work this all out now.
He toyed with hIs own ring for a moment, twisting it around before slipping it off and putting it slowly on the table. Mike watched him, and Daniel could feel his hot stare on the side of his face. Mike grabbed him with a bit more force than he expected and turned him, bringing them almost nose to nose. His blue eyes looked darker this close, and Daniel licked his lips nervously.
“You’re not teasing again, are you? That wouldn’t be nice,” Mike said lowly.
“I don’t feel like playing nice,” Daniel responded.
“I knew you had a little bad boy inside you,” Mike commented.
Daniel’s hand smoothed down his chest to his lap, fondling him boldly. “Not yet,” Daniel said, feeling Mike’s hard length twitching through the fabric.
Mike hauled him into his lap and kissed him deeply. He moaned into it as Daniel ground down on his lap. Daniel pulled his tank top up, running his hands freely over Mike’s chest and stomach. They pulled apart to stare at the door when they heard a car drive by. When it passed, their lips connected again, rubbing against each other harder. A car door slammed and Daniel was falling over, trying to separate himself from Mike. He accidentally knocked over one of the glasses but sighed in relief when it stayed in one piece. He fumbled around for his ring, while Mike fixed his clothes and got off the couch to put distance between them.
Jessica opened the door, smiling in surprise at seeing Daniel. “Hey, I didn’t know you were passing by,” she said by way of greeting.
Daniel was standing a bit awkwardly but relaxed his posture and walked forward, greeting Jessica with a quick hug.
“Just came by to see how Mike was doing,” he said, nodding at the other man.
“Oh yeah? Was he playing nice?” she elbowed Daniel.
“Of course,” Mike scoffed. “I’m only a jerk to other jerks,” he said with a playful glare, and Jessica stuck her tongue out at him.
“Well, it was nice catching up, but I gotta go. Amanda’s already getting dinner ready,” Daniel said as he got to the door. He waved his goodbyes and left. Jessica watched him and squinted a bit at Mike, but Mike shrugged one shoulder and walked out of the room.
*****
Another couple of days passed. Daniel hid the shirt and thought of how he’d next plan to return it to Mike. As he left the house ready to meet with the other man, he was stopped by Chozen. The Okinawan held out the shirt to him with a deadpan expression. “I warn not to think only with short sword.”
“I’m not,” Daniel insisted, still only half sure he understood what that meant. He took the shirt and put it on the front seat beside him before pulling out of the driveway.
The meet-up location was a motel, one of the better ones in Encino, at least. That being the case, any motel was still about the seediest place two people could meet up. No one ever booked a motel room just to talk. His phone pinged with a message, and he checked it, seeing room #9. He grabbed the shirt and got out of the car, locking it. He suddenly felt paranoid and looked around the lot a little suspiciously. What if they were being watched? The lot looked mostly empty save for a few cars. There was no one in sight as far as he could see. He still picked up the pace, walking up to the door marked #9 and knocking several times.
The door opened slightly, and he could make out Mike’s face before it opened a bit wider, and he was pulled unceremoniously into the room. It was somewhat dark with the heavy curtains drawn tight, blocking out the sunlight. There was only a dim lamp illuminating the small space. He dropped the shirt as he was dragged toward the bed and then shoved on it, laid out on his back. Mike leaned over him, trying to get the buttons of his shirt undone as fast as he could manage, but after a few moments, he gave up and simply tugged it apart with a low growl. Buttons went flying every which way. Daniel stared down at it and back up at Mike in some awe.
“You ripped my shirt,” he complained.
“You brought a spare,” Mike pointed out carelessly.
“That’s your shirt. The one that I was supposed to have returned to you already,” Daniel said with some consternation.
“It’s a generic black shirt. I don’t think anyone is going to notice either way,” Mike dismissed.
“It’s not my size, and if no one else notices, Chozen will,” Daniel said confidently.
“Is he gonna tattle on us?” Mike asked, getting his belt loose and kicking his shoes off.
“No…”
“Then quit worrying and get these pants off before I rip those off next,” Mike threatened mildly.
Daniel undid the button and zipper and tugged them down his thighs, while Mike pulled them off the rest of the way and shucked them across the room. He tossed his own shirt and pants in the same general direction and joined Daniel on the bed. They kissed eagerly, Mike pinning Daniel down with his bigger frame. Daniel wrapped his legs around Mike’s waist, their bodies undulating together. Mike eventually pulled back with a sigh, regretfully untangling himself from Daniel.
“Lube,” he said and got up to retrieve some. “And a condom,” he added.
“You keep one condom in your wallet..?” Daniel deadpanned.
Mike looked at him and huffed. “Well, I don’t usually use condoms with my wife, alright. Besides, how many times were you planning on fucking?” Mike asked with a pointed look.
“I guess only once,” Daniel replied with a bored look.
Mike stalked back over to the bed. “Hey, I can go as many times as you want, sweetheart,” he emphasized with a slight edge in his tone. “Condoms aren’t a problem for me.”
“They aren’t for me either.”
Mike tossed it over his shoulder. “Good.”
Daniel pulled his underwear off, as well as the remnants of his shirt, and watched as Mike stepped out of his own underwear. Mike chuckled at his expression, although Daniel wasn’t aware, he’d changed expressions at all.
“You look like you’ve never seen a dick before.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t have sex with men much. Being married to a woman,” Daniel answered sarcastically.
“You’re all wide-eyed like a virgin,” Mike continued to tease.
“I have kids,” Daniel replied needlessly, though he knew that wasn’t even what Mike meant.
“You’ve never done this with a guy before,” Mike said matter-of-factly.
Daniel bristled a bit at this. Admittedly, he hadn’t gone all the way with any men, but he wasn’t completely inexperienced. “I may not get around like you do, but I’ve done things.”
Mike looked amused despite the jibe, and Daniel’s eyebrows and mouth turned downwards momentarily before Mike was once again on the bed and hovering over him. “What kind of things?” he asked, his voice pitched lower now that they were so close. He rubbed some lube between his fingers, warming it up. “Handjobs? Blowjobs?” His hand traveled down to between Daniel’s legs and slipped one thick finger inside. He kissed Daniel. “You have the lips for it,” he said, pulling away and nipping down his neck.
Daniel squirmed when another finger was added and even more when he felt Mike’s lips trail down and close around a nipple, licking and nipping at it. He didn’t waste time inserting two more fingers, though, at the slight hiss from Daniel, he moved his fingers slowly, almost delicately.
After a minute of this, Daniel was squirming again, this time in impatience. Mike sensed this and removed his fingers. Daniel’s legs fell open wider, accommodating him in between. He squirted yet more lube onto a hand and slicked himself before positioning himself right at Daniel’s entrance. He slid in as slowly as he could, hearing Daniel let out a small hiss with every inch. He went still when he bottomed out, waiting for a signal to start moving. Daniel gave a small nod and Mike set a slow pace, fighting to keep himself from coming already.
“You’re so fucking tight.”
“Faster,” Daniel urged just under his breath.
“You sure you’re ready?” Mike asked though he did speed up a tiny bit more.
Daniel gave another small nod and then a drawn-out hiss when Mike forced his legs even wider to make a bit more room as he picked up the pace of his thrusts.
“Touch yourself, baby,” Mike encouraged, and Daniel moaned as he closed his fist around his own dick. “That’s right. Feel good?”
“Yeah,” Daniel moaned with a kittenish mewl. “I think I’m gonna cum,” he shuddered.
“Hold on, sweetheart. The longer you draw it out, the better it’ll be,” Mike promised.
“B-but…It’s too much,” Daniel protested, his stomach and thighs flexing to try to keep himself from cuming.
“Just a bit longer,” Mike said and sped up even more.
“Can I?” Daniel asked, his fist squeezing desperately to stop himself while his legs shook noticeably.
“Such a good boy, asking me if you can cum,” Mike praised with a soft chuckle. He pets Daniel’s thigh. “Do it, baby,” he encouraged, and Daniel whimpered as he immediately let himself cum. Mike thrust through his orgasm, feeling the tightness around his dick constrict even further until he gave in as well. He groaned and slumped forward a bit, just breathing.
He pulled out and lay beside Daniel for a few moments. Five minutes pass and Daniel checks his watch. “We should probably get showered,” he suggests.
Mike opens one eye to peer at him from the side. “Already? Thought you wanted to fuck at least ten times.”
“Ten?” Daniel scoffs. “Besides, we can have sex in the shower.”
“You’re pretty kinky,” Mike comments.
“Shower sex is kinky to you?”
“Not for me, but I thought it would be for you,” Mike shrugs one shoulder.
“You don’t know me very well,” Daniel informs.
“I’m definitely starting to,” Mike smirks. “Alright, c’mon hands and knees. After that, you can suck my dick in the shower.”
“I never said I’d suck anything.”
“You didn’t have to,” Mike smirked. “You know you like being told what to do.”
Daniel couldn’t really protest the point when he was already turning over as Mike settled behind him. The angle and the cum already inside him made it easier for Mike to slip in. Daniel dug his nails into the mattress, surprised all over again by his size. Mike thrust inside him at a leisurely pace, hands smoothing over his back and hips. “I’m not gonna break, you know,” Daniel muttered. Mike shifted and then pushed him down forcefully.
“You want it rough, huh? Want me to fuck you like I hate you?” Mike asked, and although his voice sounded normal, Daniel detected a hint of threat in it. He didn’t have the time to brace himself, as suddenly Mike was slamming in, impossibly deep. Daniel was on his chest, trying to rise onto his elbows, but he couldn’t push against Mike’s hold. Daniel moaned mindlessly, muffling his words with his own fist.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you need, isn’t it?” Mike asked, grasping his slim hips, shifting his ass up higher, while he fucked in even harder. He leaned over him, one arm coming to wrap around Daniel’s neck in a chokehold. Mike pulled him in tight against his chest, causing Daniel’s spine to curve. “Fuck yes,” Daniel hissed, surprising them both with his answer. Mike chuckled low in his ear, squeezing his arm even tighter. It was getting harder to draw breath, but that only seemed to make Daniel moan even more.
“Knew you’d take it so well,” Mike said, nipping his ear. “Such a good bitch,” he snarled lowly, and then he shifted again, his thrusts suddenly hitting that spot inside Daniel that made him almost scream. “I’m gonna have to bring you back here every week. Make sure you get the hard fucking you need,” he promised darkly.
“Yeaaahh,” Mike growled quietly and shoved in balls deep one last time as he came. He stayed like that for a few long moments, before pulling out with a small groan and laying down, halfway off the edge of the bed. Daniel collapsed fully onto the mattress with a groan of his own. He shifted over, making a bit more space for Mike beside him. They rested for 15 minutes before Mike poked him.
“Want to get on top?”
Daniel peered at him from a half-closed eyelid. “It’s been nearly two hours.”
“Shit, already?” Mike asked, looking at his watch. “Well, I think we can go for three.”
“You can. I have to get home before Amanda sends Chozen out to come looking for me,” Daniel said, only half joking. He got up with only a small wince and looked back when he heard Mike whistle at him.
“Aren’t you coming?” he asked as he walked towards the bathroom.
“At least a few more times,” Mike answered with a smirk, and quickly got off the bed to follow Daniel.
“Leave some for next week,” Daniel smirked back as Mike chuckled and pinched his ass lightly..